Buddy, can you spare a dime?

When I was a new social work graduate, oh let's say about a decade ago, I was under the impression that social work was "a hand up, not a hand out". But now, I see how money plays a role in someone's level of stress at home and in the workplace... if you are lucky enough to have a job in the United States.

Our clients want stability, security, and peace of mind, but how do we do that if our agencies can no longer provide as many services as the once did. The econmony impacts every social services agency I know of, and now waiting lists are longer and longer to recieve services. I have more and more clients saying that they had to move back home with their parents, what is that doing to us emotionally?

Heck, I'm an employed social worker, with a masters degree, and I am supposed to be a role model for others; but I don't even believe my own financial security at times. Where's the hand-up for me when I need it? I'm I just playing a pitty party for myself because I watch the non-profit sector I love so much barely trending water?

Another Day

So here I am again with a blank screen in front of me. I think the topic for today will be repeat clients. What do we think of a repeat client when we usually don't have a caseload at work? For example, my work on the helpline, or what if we work in a hospital, or a homeless shelter. I'm sure I could think of other venues where a repeat client would not be the ideal goal of social work practice.

But wait, maybe it doesn't need to be something that "isn't ideal". Maybe people are just different and need different patterns of assistance. But do we allow for that? Do we acknowledge that individuality may necessitate different scales to measure success in the same work environment? hmmm.... are these repeat clients easily described as "outliers" on a graph of rehabilitation?

I hear the groans in my office, or the apologies from the receptionist, introducing the presence of a repeat caller on in our call cue. I might be a little different though, I crave the insight to a long-term counseling relationship with a client. It allows me to see how they grow and struggle to learn new concepts. But maybe I'm just accustomed to the long-term care setting of a nursing home, where I have worked before. I don't feel that we as a helpline have failed a caller if they call every night, I think it is good that they have found a mode of expression that helps soothe them each day/night. But aren't we supposed to link the caller to support systems in their our community? Where's the personal or coping skill growth in a client if they call every day? It's still very hard for me to consolidate in my mind.

First Blog

So here we are, traveling to another destination on the Social Work Cafe.

I am a social worker, a wife, a daughter, a friend... a new friend. I thought that it would be interesting to do some random journaling... journeying... about my experience as a social worker in the field of elder care. Through surfing the web I find others that are struggling to get their voices heard; whether it is through status updates, or tweets, or SPAM. A blog, I think... or hope is a more gentle way of getting your voice... views heard. Don't you think?

Okay, so here we go... Well, I am a counselor at the Alzheimer's Association National Helpline 800-272-3900, and I have been here for almost three years. Yes, I am typing from work... tonight I have the overnight shift and it has been quiet for the last few hours. Earlier, there was a woman on the phone with me, scared that her husband had slammed the front door on her hand as he walked out of the house. Is he going to be okay out there in the rain I asked? Should I call the police? Is he safe? How do I comfort the caller? These are the questions going through my mind almost on every call these days.

Clients who call the Helpline are so stressed by finances, emotional swings, feelings of hopelessness. How do you tell someone to have hope when this disease is so devastating to one's personality? All I can do is tell them that they are not alone in their struggles. Many people, including myself, have seen their loved ones die, yet their bodies live on as a stranger inhabits their corpse. It's eerie. It takes so much strength to take care of an adult who is as vulnerable as a child, yet you want to remember them for who they are and what remarkable things they used to do when they were healthy.

"Healthy"... a term that has to be flexible with each new stage of this horrible disease. Is it healthy to be able bodied but have no idea who you are or who the people are around you, caring for you? Is health recognized as you have a peaceful moment in your day when your loved one isn't repeating themselves or feeling distressed because they are distracted for a mere moment when they are eating a meal?

It all sound pretty hopeless... but the people I speak with as so driven because they love the person with the disease. I'm driven because of my personal experience with the disease.